'Do Right' Business

Since 1981, Vermont has been home for Rhino Foods. Throughout forty years of challenges, pivots, innovations, changing consumers and shifting products, one thing hasn’t changed: location location location. “If our purpose is to positively impact the manner in which business is done, Vermont is the right place to be,” says Ted Castle, Founder of Rhino Foods. There’s a lot to love about Vermont: artisanal cheese and craft beer, chunky ice cream and smooth maple creemees, slopes and swimming … [Read more...] about Vermont: Fertile Ground for Innovative Businesses, Under Any Circumstance

We think more businesses should be built on a foundation of compassion and kindness instead of a narrow focus on the bottom line. Making a commitment to bettering the lives of employees and embracing better business practices can be the new norm. At Rhino, we’re honored to be a B Corporation helping drive the growing cultural shift towards building a more conscious, sustainable, and compassionate business community for the benefit of everyone. Companies that care: That’s the essence of this … [Read more...] about Companies that Care: The Essence of the B Corp Community

Starting a new job is overwhelming for most people. Imagine how much more difficult it could be if you didn’t speak the same language? Think of the challenges you’d face in learning new tasks and communicating with supervisors and teammates, not to mention striving to earn a promotion. At Rhino, we believe in inclusion, so it’s our responsibility to ensure that all of our employees have the resources they need to thrive. Many of our valued team members come to Rhino from other countries with … [Read more...] about Speaking Up: Empowering Employees With On-Site English Classes

Rhino Foods’ Income Advance Program was developed in response to regular employee requests for “loans.” While payroll advances addressed the immediate need, it did nothing to address the root problem and was difficult to administer in a fair and consistent way. Rhino was dedicated to finding a solution. In partnership with North Country Federal Credit Union, we now guarantee same day access to $1,000 for emergency or unplanned needs. The advance is repaid through weekly payroll deductions. … [Read more...] about Go Big: Scaling Up the Income Advance Program

In 1993, we faced a big challenge. A number of factors contributed to a slow down of work and less hours to go around. Layoffs weren’t an option; Rhino invests a great deal in and cares deeply about its workers. So, like so many great ideas at Rhino, the Employee Exchange was born out of an employee brainstorm session. We envisioned a program in which staff could use their unique skills at other companies while work was slow at Rhino, then return when it picked back up, with new ideas and … [Read more...] about Doing Right by our Employees Makes Good Business Sense: Rhino’s Employee Exchange Program

Without our employees, we wouldn’t have Rhino Foods. They’re indispensable therefore we continue to think of ways to support and engage our community. The newest initiative to support our workforce is Women@Rhino, a grassroots group for female-identifying employees. The focus of these meetings is to encourage women across departments and shifts to join an ongoing conversation around gender and inclusivity. Initially formed in response to feedback and conversations happening in the workplace, … [Read more...] about Different Stories, Shared Experience: Women@Rhino Change the Conversation